A Shinigami Valentine

"I'm telling you, you need to fuckin' forget her. She ain't no friend of yours, sugar." Zaraki insisted once they were inside Akina's quarters. She nodded, pulling his kimono tighter around her as she sat down heavily on the end of the bed.

"You're right...it's just hard. I don't have a lot of friends...and I don't know....You're just not supposed to give up on friends!" she snapped, frowning. "Besides, I feel like it's my fault. I left her with that awful man."

She felt like shit. She felt like she'd betrayed her friend. It wasn't supposed to hurt anyone. She had changed just one of the results. Just enough to let her spend the evening with Kenpachi Zaraki. Just enough to keep her away from Kurotsuchi.

"Who?" Zaraki asked, draining the last of the sake from the jug into his cup.

"Mayuri Kurotsuchi. I bet he's been filling her ears with twisted lies all night." she hissed, suddenly seeing Kurotsuchi's grinning face in her mind's eye.

"Probably. He's gonna be even nastier when he catches wind of the fact that I fucked you." Zaraki complained, downing the contents of the cup in one swallow.

"Look," he spoke quietly as he turned towards her. "You want me to go?"

Akina stared at him blankly. It would probably be better if he did. The rumor that they were together was most likely spreading like wildfire through the Sereitei. It would be worse if he was seen leaving in the morning. Her eyes moved up slowly over his long, lanky frame. His bare muscular chest. His scarred face. Zaraki's eyes met hers. She saw sad acceptance haunting those smoky depths.

"No." she said softly. The word was out of her mouth before she'd even realized. It was how she felt but it had leapt from her lips before her mind could try to rationalize it away. He gave her a puzzled look.

"Unless you want to...I won't hold you here against your will, Captain Zaraki." she added quickly, looking down. "But as far as I'm concerned...I...I really don't want you to leave."

"I don't wanna go, Akina. I just don't wanna make it worse for you. I know what gossip's like around here. I'm used to it. Someone's always talking trash about me. But she's supposed to be your damned friend. It ain't right." he sighed, sitting down next to her.

She suddenly felt the need to touch him. She had been able to control her urge until he moved so close to her. His close proximity, without any physical contact, was like sweet torture. Akina leaned over, resting her head against his shoulder. He lifted his arm, pulling her closer.

"I can get some of my men to beat the shit outta her, if you want." he offered. She laughed softly, shaking her head.

"No, please don't do that." she sighed, smiling.

"She's jealous, Akina. Don't know why but I know what I was hearing. I heard it before." he spoke quietly as his hand traced lazy circles over her back.

"Why? It doesn't make sense. Chizu's...she's so much prettier than me. She can have any man she wants...except maybe Byakuya Kuchiki."

"She can't have me." he stated flatly. She raised her head, looking up at him. Again, she was overwhelmed by a sudden warmth that filled her chest leaving a wild, irresistible yearning behind that demanded she kiss him. It wasn't a rational feeling. It was a bone deep, instinctive impulse that she couldn't resist.

Akina turned into him, stretching up to kiss him suddenly. It was a fevered kiss full of longing. She didn't understand what she wanted but she knew he was the only one that could fill the aching need growing inside her. Zaraki's hand slid into her hair, holding her captive as he return the kiss with a fire of his own. His tongue searched her mouth, touching and tasting. Akina could feel her worries melting away. All that mattered was this moment and his kiss. She lost herself in it, her hands slipping up around his neck, pulling him down. She pressed into him, needing to feel him close. She wanted him. It took only a kiss to reignite the passion that smoldered just under the surface.

"Where'd that come from?" he asked with a faint grin once the kiss ended. She stared up at him. She couldn't explain to him what she didn't understand herself. She knew only that she felt something for him. Something new and exciting. Something she didn't want to end.

"I...I just needed to kiss you." she said softly. His grin spread slowly until it was sharp and hungry.

"Sugar, you can kiss me like that anytime you want." he teased. Akina felt heat flush her cheeks. She had never felt this way about a man before. She looked away shyly. He caught her chin, tilting her face back up to his.

"How about we quit worrying about that bitch?" he whispered.

"I'll try." she agreed quickly. Her heart raced as he leaned forward to kiss her again. His kiss was soft and teasing. He pulled back slightly, tracing the outline of her lips with his tongue. She opened her mouth, flicking the tip of her tongue against his then leaning in to suck his tongue into her mouth. She sucked hard, her own tongue rolling and teasing his wildly. She heard him moan behind the kiss. It was a deep, throaty moan that surely came of it's own volition. Akina could feel the growing heat, washing over her body. She wanted him again...now.

Akina pushed him back onto the bed. He pulled her down with him, refusing to break the kiss. His kimono fell away from her shoulders. She stretched out over him. She felt his hand moving over her back as they kissed. A sudden draft alerted her that he was pulling the dress open from behind, in an effort to remove it. A loud ripping sound filled the room. His hands froze.

"Shit!" he growled, leaning forward to look over her shoulder.

"What happened?" Akina asked, sitting up on his lap, her legs straddling him. She felt behind her. The dress was torn below the zipper.

"I ripped it. Sorry, sugar." he sighed, staring up at her. Akina smiled.

"Don't worry about it. It's not mine anyway. Chizu loaned it to me." she explained, running her hands over his bare chest. She loved the hard, rippled feel of his body. He caught her hands in his, stilling them.

"You telling me that dress belongs to that bitch? It's not yours?" he snapped darkly. Akina nodded, wary of the sudden low, dangerous tone to his voice. He bared his teeth in a sharp, savage grin. His hands moved fast, reaching up to grab the neck of the dress then ripping it violently from her body.

"Zaraki!" she cried out in surprise. she clutched at the cloth instinctively. It was no use. It was gone in a flash, leaving only shreds of green silk. He tossed the bulk of the dress across the room. Akina stared at him in shocked surprise.

"Don't worry, I'll return what's left of it to her in the morning." he chuckled, obviously enjoying Akina's reaction.

"Bastard!" she cried out, punching him in the stomach. He laughed, brushing away her fist.

"Hold still. I wanna get the rest of it off you." he ordered her, still laughing, as he pulled the remaining shreds of cloth away from her, leaving her nude atop him.

"You could've warned me." she sighed, smiling softly.

"Nah, then I wouldn't got to see that look." he chuckled, pushing himself up higher on the bed with his legs. His move dislodged her from his lap but he reached down, grabbing her ass and pulling her back. He pulled her hips down hard against him as he thrust up, grinding against her. Akina gasped in surprise and pleasure. She could feel how hard he'd grown beneath her.

"You know what...." she growled, desire rushing hotly through her. "I'm gonna burn for this no matter what. I might as well enjoy it."

"I like the way you think, Akina." he said, grinning hungrily up at her. He sat up, pulling her to him in a crushing kiss. Holding her tightly, he flipped her onto her back. His mouth devoured her in a hard, driving kiss. She felt his hand brush her breast then continued lower until it eased between her legs. Following his lead, she reached down brushing her hand over the front of his hakama. He lifted his head, groaning from the sudden contact. The black cloth felt wet against her hand as she massaged him through the fabric. There was no question that he wanted her. She reached for the ties to his hakama as he slipped one long finger inside her. Akina faltered, overwhelmed by the sensation.

"You're really wet, sugar. I'm starting to think you like me a little." he whispered, easing a second finger inside her, moving them slowly in and out of her body.

"Just a little..." she gasped, pushing down against his hand. She heard him chuckle as he leaned down to kiss her neck. The sound tickled her skin and warmed her heart. Akina jerked at the ties keeping his hot flesh from her. Once free, she wrapped her fingers around his wet hardness. He froze, moaning against her neck. She worked her hand steadily up and down, feeling him growing wetter.

"I think you like me a little, too, Zaraki." she sighed.

"Call me Kenpachi...I like the way you say it." he growled, his voice husky with desire. He moved his hand then hers.

"Kenpachi." she whispered, arching up against him. The sound of his name seemed to have a profound effect on him.

"I need to be inside you, Akina. I can't...I need you...now..." he whispered urgently, pushing her thighs apart. She was ready for him as he moved over her. He thrust hard, driving himself deeply into her. Akina cried out, her body straining from his sheer size. He filled her completely, their hips flush against each other. His body stilled. He leaned down against her, his breath hot against her neck as he whispered,

"I just wanna feel you for a minute...damn! I've never felt anything so good!"

"Please...don't stop..." she begged.

"I won't...I just wanna remember the way you feel right now, Akina. You got no idea how amazing you feel." he sighed, slowly moving inside her. She clutched at his shoulders, digging her nails in. Thrusting her hips up, she drove him back inside her. He hit her inner wall. They both cried out. Her body jerked. She matched him as he pumped his hips against her. They moved together at a wild speed. Inside her, a rising need overwhelmed her. She wanted him so much. Nothing else mattered at that moment but answering the need inside her. Layers of white hot sensation built within her, growing brighter and hotter with each thrust. Then suddenly, it exploded.

Akina moaned softly as all her senses seemed to shatter. He kissed her passionately as he continued his steady assault on her body. Akina was swept away, lost to the blinding sensations of her body. She was slowly sinking back to reality when her body convulsed again. She came again before the last waves of pleasure faded. Her head was spinning, her breathing coming in heavy pants. She was vaguely aware of his movements becoming jerky until he finally thrust deeply into her one last time. He grunted, his body tightening with his sudden, silent climax. She felt his warmth filling her. Shaking slightly, Zaraki slumped against her, weak. She held him tightly, enjoying the warmth and strength of his body so close to hers. He rested his head in the curve of her neck, breathing heavily.

"You make me feel so amazing, Kenpachi." Akina whispered, closing her eyes, enjoying the closeness of him. He grunted, rolling off her. The air felt cold against her bare body.

"Come here." he sighed contently, reaching out for her.

She curled up against him with her head on his chest. His arm tightened possessively around her. Akina listened to the steady beat of his heart, slowing gradually. She felt so close to the man. It was hard to believe that she'd only truly met him a few hours before. It felt as if he'd always been there...by her side.

"Hey, sugar?" he spoke softly.

"Yeah?"

"Happy Valentine's Day." he said softly. Akina smiled, feeling the heavy pull of sleep.

"Are you my Valentine, Kenpachi?" she drawled drowsily. She felt him chuckle. The deep sound echoing through his chest.

"Yeah, I guess I am...at least for tonight." he spoke softly.

"I can live with that." she sighed, yawning.

"You sure about that?" he asked her. His voice was low but the intensity was sharp. Akina leaned back, looking up at him.

"I'm not a kid, Kenpachi. I don't believe in fairy tales and I'm not looking for a prince to come and sweep me off my feet. I know what's going on. Don't worry. I'm not looking for any promises from you."

"Damn! You sure you ain't a man?" he laughed.

"You should know." she said with a smile, turning her back to him as she prepared to sleep. She felt him turn, curling his body close around her.

"No promises, eh?" he repeated.

"Nope, I don't want them and you're not getting them. Let's just enjoy right now." she said quietly. She had been burned by promises before. It was easier this way.

"Akina..." he whispered in her ear as she was drifting off, "...you don't have to make promises to keep 'em.”